In yet another blow to the movements and campaigns run by various governmental and non governmental bodies to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere, the global greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 have indeed increased to the highest levels in history from world energy generation. The data has been released by the International Energy Agency.
Global temperatures may rise to the threshold of dangerous 2 degree Celsius and if scientists are to believe, this could trigger catastrophic climate change between 2020-2030 depending on level of emissions in coming years.
“This significant increase in CO2 emissions and the locking in of future emissions due to infrastructure investments represent a serious setback to our hopes of limiting the global rise in temperature to no more than two degrees Celsius,” quoted by Dr. Fatih Birol, chief economist at International Energy Agency.
A dip in carbon dioxide emission was recorded in 2009 following the global recession and slow industrial growth. Estimates are that the carbon emission into atmosphere in the year 2010 has reached to 30.6 Giga Tonnes which is 5% more than the emissions in 2008 (2008 was the previous record year for emission).
Melting Arctic may further speed up climate change:
Not only we are adding enormous amount of greenhouse gases into atmosphere, there is a fear of accelerated global warming due to melting of Arctic ice-sheet. A recent study has suggested that by the year 2200, about two third of earth’s permafrost will melt resulting in release of an estimated 190 billion tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into atmosphere (Billions of tons of organic matter is buried under the permafrost). Release of this extra carbon dioxide in air has potential catastrophic implications for climate change.
This study is an another wake up call for governments to control emissions and maintaining the set threshold of 2 degree temperature rise by 2020. Otherwise prepare for the catastrophic climate changes that can change the geographical structure of earth.
Why is there such a huge greenhouse gases emission?
Most of the emissions have been recorded at power plants fueled by coal and oil. The power sector remains dependent on fossil fuels as its main energy source. Though initiatives have been taken to promote eco-friendly technologies like nuclear energy technology and tapping renewable energy resources like solar energy, wind power, geothermal energy etc., but slow development and high costs remain the deterrent factors for their potential use.
Recent nuclear accident in Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, Japan, and possibility of similar accidents in future have forced various nations to revise their nuclear energy policy and nuclear dependency. Also the risks associated with nuclear power plants and fear of radiation leaks have prevented the full utilization of this clean energy technology.
But still there is a huge scope to reduce carbon dioxide emission into atmosphere by trapping carbon dioxide before it is released into air. Carbon Capture and Storage is an example of such technology that can reduce the emission of carbon dioxide from its emission source. Progress towards de-carbonization is possible but the key to success lies with us to follow or not…